columbella Meaning, Definition & Usage

Col`um*bel"la noun
Etymology
NL., dim. of L. columba a dove. So called from a fancied resemblance in color and form, of some species.
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) A genus of univale shells, abundant in tropical seas. Some species, as Columbella mercatoria, were formerly used as shell money.

Webster 1913